Public Hearing On Proposed Enfield Budget Attracts Zero Comments

ENFIELD, CT — The onset of the coronavirus pandemic has created changes in most ways of conducting business, and never has that been more evident than with the yearly public hearing on the proposed Enfield town budget.

Prior to 2020, the hearings have taken place at either Enfield High School or John F. Kennedy Middle School. Dozens of residents have customarily attended and offered their input into the proposed figures, with the hearing at times stretching to more than two hours in length. In fact, since 2014, the shortest duration of any budget hearing has been 67 minutes in 2015; the 2016 meeting lasted 2 hours, 18 minutes.

Due to executive orders issued by Gov. Ned Lamont in view of the pandemic, public commentary on the proposed budget last year was by written testimony only. Just two residents submitted their thoughts to the Enfield Town Council; however, that was two more than participated in this year's discussion.

Residents had until 5 p.m. last Monday to submit their written testimony on the $146.5 million proposal prior to Wednesday night's hearing. No correspondence was received, leading to likely one of the shortest meetings in town history. The virtual hearing, seen below from E-TV, lasted exactly five minutes, including roll call and comments from Town Manager Chris Bromson and Superintendent of Schools Chris Drezek.

The 2021-22 proposal calls for spending of $146,541,970, with Bromson saying the mill rate will remain at 34.23, therefore resulting in no tax increase.

"I would like to formally thank Chris Drezek, superintendent of schools, and the Board of Education for their collaboration in providing and maintaining the excellent services both on the town side and the board side without necessitating a tax increase," Bromson said.

"I just want to echo what Chris said," Drezek responded. "Since the two of us have been doing this, it's been a collaborative effort. You can tell by the results we've gotten a lot done over the last couple of years, based on Chris' leadership and the leadership of the council and Board of Education working together, instead of working against each other."

The council will vote on budget adoption at Monday's meeting, beginning at 7 p.m. in the council chambers at town hall.

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